Canadian values. That two-word phrase is so well undefined it can fuel a debate between just about any pair of Canadians. Sometimes only one is required.

Our Prime Minister recently apologized for laying claim to an understanding of Canadian values that resulted in providing a response in French to a question asked in English at a town hall meeting in Quebec. His understanding has since shifted with the realization that asked in English would better have been answered in English, just as in Alberta asked in French would be better answered in French.

The phrase isn’t just employed by politicians.

Of late, Canadian values has been too frequently used as a phrase to hurl at adversaries as an allegation of bigotry and abject failure of character, or as words to hail claim to (y)our side’s genuine Canadian-ness. But what exactly are these values we Canadians hurl or hail?

Publicly touted as at or near the top of any list of Canadian values are tolerance and diversity.

Tolerance was once societally defined and understood. Rather than to assail contrary speech or beliefs, tolerance equipped Canadians to respectfully and peacefully disagree. Tolerance started with acceptance of one another as people. There was acknowledgment that civil dialogue, even debate, might not bring agreement. And that’s why tolerance was required.

In those (good old?) days, my parents’ Bajan accents were heard in conversation with the diverse collection of other Canadians’ accents on the street or over the backyard fence, not always in pleasant conversation but civil enough. I don’t recall hearing anyone being told to go back where they came from. Their kids, me among them, were even allowed to play together.

In twenty-first century Canada, tolerance is too often self-defined by the person/group claiming to be tolerant. The tolerance claim is almost as often made in conjunction with the assertion that those who disagree are intolerant. And frequently accompanied by an ad hominem attack stating opponents are evil, phobic or both.

Diversity is today also most often declared to be as defined by the person or group claiming it. The opinions or beliefs of others are rejected solely because they diverge from those of the diversity claiming claimant. Emphasis is, again, placed on the evil or phobic nature of any person or identifiable group of people whose opinion differs.

Human rights legislation developed to protect individuals and minority groups as a shield from abuse is today being asserted instead as sword. Select individuals and groups advance rights-oriented arguments decrying those who do not conform as being unworthy to belong in a democratic society or in need of re-education. Of course the danger in striking with a sword is that swordsmanship prescribes a strike be met with a block and counter-strike. The public square thus becomes a battlefield rather than its intended place for dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

In the name of free speech, tolerance and diversity, increasing numbers of individuals and groups now threaten or engage in actual violence – against police officers, elected officials and other alleged adversaries – ostensibly in order to prevent peaceful presentation of differing ideas in the public square.

The concepts of tolerance and diversity that were once used to build societal bridges have been re-engineered by the new brand of activists to erect walls of societal division.

The Supreme Court of Canada has considered these assertions in the light of our constitution, declaring that in a free and democratic society… we all belong. The Court has dared suggest that tolerance is not about exclusion or forced inclusion but acceptance of difference. And diversity does not require compliance or conformity with another’s beliefs or demands. However, the Court’s words are at variance with the positions of many new philosopher-activists, who have chosen neither to welcome the Court’s words nor heed them.

More is required of us as Canadians if we are going to engage in meaningful conversation, conversation not just about what we have in common but accommodation of our differences. Isn’t that the kind of conversation vital to living life together in the shared space that is Canada?

Genuine tolerance leaves little room for allegations it is intolerant of others to peaceably disagree. Authentic diversity has little space for the assertion that those who are not like us don’t belong. There is not a sincere understanding of either that can legitimately suggest violence as the way to secure one, the other or both.

First century author Paul of Tarsus offers these still relevant words of advice, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13-15)

Today is my Dad’s birthday. I spoke at the memorial service for a friend’s father on the weekend. I’ve modified those words slightly, but thought I would share them with you. Miss you, Dad.

In January 2014 I enjoyed the privilege of my first visit to Israel. One of many special experiences was time to reflect while visiting the Church of the Beatitudes, located at the top of the mount where Jesus of Nazareth spoke to thousands assembled down the sides of the big hill.

Matthew 5 records the event, with these opening words:

Seeing the crowds, he [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted…”

This talk was shared with what was perhaps the largest gathering of people ever to hear Jesus speak. It kind of makes you wonder, why would Jesus start perhaps the most significant public talk he ever gave with words of blessing for the poor in spirit and those who mourn?

The Teacher begins his monumentally important message, delivered from high above the shore of Galilee, with words of promise for those wrestling with the realities of life’s challenges, including some of life’s most difficult questions.

“Why has this happened?” “Why did events unfold the way they did?” “Why do I feel so powerless?” “What can I do about it now?”

It may seem little consolation to know that we live in an imperfect world, where difficulties and death are very real parts of life. Even for those who accept the story of a long ago garden where the first sin plunged our world into disarray, it may be of little comfort to consider the truth that our lives are daily impacted by the brokenness of living in a fallen world. That truth is most difficult to grasp when the brokenness is directly impacting us in ways that cause almost uncontrollable emotion within us.

The pain, questions, even feelings of helplessness are balanced by one thing. Realizing that God is Lord over all of it. He knows. He knows us. He knows what we are experiencing. In and through it all, He remains God. The God who is ready, willing and waiting for us.

Remarkably, He is a God – He is the God – who hurts. He hurts with us, and hurts for us, in our difficulties. He doesn’t back away from us in our struggles and imperfections. He draws nearer with words that remind us that our weakness is known to Him; and, He responds to us in our weakness.

Do you remember the shortest verse in the Bible? It’s just two words. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

Jesus’ friend had died. Jesus wept.

Jesus knew He was about to perform an amazing miracle that would bring his friend Lazarus back to life. But, He wept.

Why?

Did Jesus miss His friend? Or, were those tears for Lazarus’ family and friends? Tears of empathy and understanding in their loss.

God knows when we are hurting. He knows each of us is hurting with varying degrees of hurt. God knows that it is the rare death where the survivors, those who remain to carry on, don’t have regrets about words unspoken or deeds undone – whether their own words or deeds or those they hoped for from the deceased. But, time ran out. The words remained unsaid. The deeds undone. Future plans not able to be fulfilled.

The question is, “Are we willing to admit that we’re hurting?” God isn’t just aware of the hurt, He feels the hurt right along with us. He knows we need reassurance in our time of loss, and He offers it. He guaranteed it in public before thousands of witnesses.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

We. Will. Be. Comforted. But, only if we let Him comfort us.

I’ve spoken at a lot of funerals. I didn’t know the man whose funeral I spoke at on the weekend and I don’t know most of you, your life’s story. I do know that when death intervenes, you will consider that your relationship with your loved one or friend could likely have been better than it was, and also had some shining moments you hope you will never forget. And, I know that there are and will be moments when you will need a sense of comfort as you reflect on the relationship. Those moments continue long after you think they should have come to an end.

God has promised His comfort. But, only if we let Him comfort us.

More than comfort alone, God Who is empathetic and understanding is also loving and wise. If we trust Him, He will make use of the troubles of life, and the mourning that comes with life’s ending, to meet with us and build into our lives something good that wasn’t there before. Although, often we won’t realize it until sometime later. If we’re not looking for Him, we might not even realize it was God who met us in our moment of need.

For now, let me encourage you to rest in the simple understanding that God is good, even when life seems bad. He cares for us, even when we don’t know He’s there. He has promised to comfort those who mourn. He keeps His word. He is committed to connect with those who admit their need of His love and care, and to build a relationship with us when we do.

It was my privilege to share this message with the staff and students of Redeemer Christian High School in Ottawa on May 18, 2016.

Hope.

News media report that hope lost has led to a continuing epidemic of teen suicide in Atawapiskat, Ontario.

This same concept of lost hope has been identified as the cause of teen suicide across Canada, not just in one remote community.

In reporting this phenomenon, an assumption has been made. It is assumed that we know what hope is; and how to lose it.

When I was 15 years old, I lost hope – at least, I thought I did.

My parents had divorced ten years earlier, but I was just a little kid at the time so I didn’t really know that it was unusual for a child to spend the summer with his Dad and the school year with his Mum. My Dad remarried when I was 9. Still, I had this idea that my parents might get back together. After all, my Dad had left my Mum, my two older sisters and me, right? He could leave his new wife and little girl, right?

But when I was 15, Mum remarried. A few months later, I left to spend my summer with Dad. Shortly after I got home I was struck with the awareness that my parents were not going to get back together. I was also awakening to the fact that my family was different from my friends’ families. And, I lost hope. Or, at least I think I did.

What is hope? How is it lost? And, perhaps more importantly, how can hope be found again?

First, what hope is not.

German theologian Jürgen Moltmann recently celebrated his 90th birthday. (I know that seems a lot older to some of you than it does to me.)

In his book Theology of Hope, Moltmann suggests that, in the 21st century, we have confused optimism with hope. And, as a result, many people no longer understand hope.

Another theologian, Miroslav Volf from Yale University’s Center for Faith and Culture, saves us all a bit of reading by summarizing Moltmann’s key concepts in the book A Public Faith. Volf writes:

In Theology of Hope Jürgen Moltmann famously distinguishes between hope and optimism. Both have to do with positive expectation, and yet the two are very different. Optimism has to do with good things in the future that are latent in the past and the present; the future associated with optimism – Moltmann calls it futurum – is an unfolding of what is already there. We survey the past and the present, extrapolate about what is likely to happen in the future, and if the prospects are good, become optimistic.

Optimism, then, is the positive expectation that our past and our present will likely result in our good future.

So, what is hope?

Volf continues:

Hope, on the other hand, has to do with good things in the future that come to us from “outside,” from God; the future associated with hope – Moltman calls it adventus – is a gift of something new. We hear the word of divine promise, and because God is love we trust in God’s faithfulness. God then brings about “a new thing”: aged Sarah, barren of womb, gives birth to a son (Gen. 21:1-2; Rom. 4:18-21); the crucified Christ is raised from the dead (Acts 2:22-36); a mighty Babylon falls and a new Jerusalem comes down from heaven (Rev. 18:1-24; 21:1-5); more generally, the good that seemed impossible becomes not just possible but real.

The expectation of good things that come from God – that is hope.

Perhaps, what I lost at 15 wasn’t hope after all; but, optimism. I had let go of the idea that my family could be like my friends’ families if… if my parents could only re-find the love that had gone missing in their relationship. Clearly they now loved other people.

I had also come to the realization that I could not make it happen. I could not fix my broken and altogether different family.

That may suggest the best summary for lost optimism, “I cannot.” My past and present tell me “I cannot.”

Lost hope is more than that. Lost hope is more than “I can’t.”

Lost hope is a belief and feeling of being disconnected. Disconnected from friends. Disconnected from family. Disconnected from the world around me. Coupled with a sense that I don’t know how to re-connect and thoughts that maybe I should just disconnect permanently. Yes, I’ve been there too, at times.

When we can’t look back at the past or look at our today and believe, or feel, that something good will come from that, we need something more.

I like Moltman’s choice of adventus to describe that “something more” we need. We need something from outside of ourselves to reconnect.

When I hear the Latin word adventus, my first thoughts turn to Advent – the celebration of the coming of Jesus into the world. The season of waiting for the celebration of His birth. Even if we are unable to capture all of the anticipation in waiting for the baby to be born, we can get pretty excited thinking about what gifts we’ll rip into on Christmas, or the looks on the faces of those to whom we give gifts.

Adventus is that something that has to come from outside our own expectations and abilities, then meets us at our point of need. That’s what the true story of Jesus is all about. God giving His all to meet us at our point of need.

The people of Israel had been waiting. Waiting expectantly. Waiting for their Messiah, the Anointed One of God, to come. They had endured defeat at the hands of their enemies. They had endured being shipped off to other countries as refugees, and then gradually filtering back home to a land their Roman conquerors renamed Palestine.

Then came Jesus – breaking in from outside. They wanted a superhero Deliverer, but he was more like a friend who comes alongside to comfort and encourage.

History has shown that Jesus was, and is, the Anointed One. In the Hebrew language, “Anointed One” is translated “Messiah.” In Greek, “Anointed One” is translated “Christ.”

Jesus was, and is, the Christ.

After His death, Jesus’ followers waited in Jerusalem until God’s Holy Spirit was released upon them – that’s the Pentecost the Church celebrated worldwide a few Sundays ago, God’s Spirit being poured out on all who believe in Jesus. And some time after Pentecost, at Antioch, the Jesus followers were first called “Christians.” “Christians” actually means “little Anointed Ones.” A friend of mine says we Christians are “anointlings,” little anointed ones; not to be confused with “annoyings.” Although, we probably all know some annoying Christians.

As anointlings we have something unique to offer the world, including those who may have lost hope, even our friends who may need something from outside of them to help them reconnect in life. As anointlings, we are like “Jesus with skin on.”

We know that God is a spiritual Being. We know that He came into the world as a baby, lived, was crucified and raised to life again on the third day before ascending into heaven. But sometimes we need more than what we know. Sometimes, we need Jesus with skin on.

When, as a teenager, I became depressed – wallowing in my music, television and thoughts of my own uselessness – God blessed me with friends who would work their way past my mother at the door, down the steps to my room at the back of the basement and drag me out of the house to play ball hockey, baseball, football or RISK. Sometimes it was annoying! But, they didn’t put me down. They pulled me up.

I think our world needs more of that. Our world needs Christians who know they are anointlings, Jesus with skin on. If you think you’ve lost hope, remember you are surrounded by anointlings. Invite them into your world.

Maybe, you know someone who needs a little anointling – maybe even some annoying anointling. I encourage you, be the anointling you are. Be kind. In Jesus’ name.

The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) is a nationwide network of people that started in 1804: over 70 staff; numerous volunteers who comprise regional and national board members, local church representatives and Bible distributors; and, thousands of generous donors who contribute to revenue of $10 to $12 million each year.

CBS is networked with churches and ministries, other Bible “agencies” that are active in one or more of the areas of CBS’ mission to translate, publish, distribute and provide tools for engagement with the Bible, and with the 146 member international United Bible Societies.

When the Chair of the CBS Board of Governors phoned me about the opportunity of serving as interim National Director and CEO earlier this year, I told him I would pray about it. I fully anticipated saying, ‘No.’ I live in Ottawa and commuting to the National Support Office in Toronto was not on my list of things to do.

But, I had agreed with my wife, Gloria, to pray about opportunities to serve that came my – our – way.

It was not my expectation that Gloria would suggest, while we were praying, that maybe God wanted me to do this. I responded that we needed to keep praying; because, I didn’t think she was hearing what God wanted. Again, I use the word “but.” But God – as St. Paul often wrote – had thoughts that differed from mine on the subject.

He placed on my heart the Old Testament story of Nehemiah, an Israelite who was a trusted servant and adviser to the King of Persia. Nehemiah’s heart was broken when he heard the news that Jerusalem’s wall and gates were in disrepair. A spiritual note sounded in me that spoke of God’s personal interest in the people and the work of the Canadian Bible Society; and, perhaps, a role for me during a time of transition.

I knew I needed to re-read the book of Nehemiah; and, did so the next morning. God still speaks through the Bible.

After reading the book of Nehemiah, I read it again; stopping to pray about portions that were impressed on me as being applicable to CBS.

While doing so, I remembered that, in 2012, Brian Stiller had given me a copy of his then new book Find A Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leaders. I had been at the first event where Brian had spoken about the 7 principles, and I recalled his book was based on the book of Nehemiah. It was also time to read Brian’s book.

Nehemiah’s call was to serve the city God loved. The wall of the city was in need of repair.

The Bible Society had been going through a restructuring process, substantially triggered by the change in legislative and regulatory requirements for federal not-for-profit corporations in Canada. And, a few months before the phone call to me the National Director of seven years had left the organization, followed shortly afterward by the Director of Operations.

We experience a sense of security when things stay the same. Change, especially significant change, can make it feel like the walls we have become accustomed to have tumbled down around us. We also know that life brings change. Often, and sometimes only after time to reflect, we find change can actually be good!

The example of Nehemiah was, for me, God’s call to be available to serve during the interim period while the Board of Governors was undertaking the process of reviewing and revising the governance and operational plan – the protective wall as it were – of the Canadian Bible Society.

In the ancient cities, the leaders of the city were only free to lead when they were able to meet at the open gates of the city with a sense of security, knowing that those gates were sturdy, strong and could be used for protection at a moment’s notice. The leaders needed to be able to meet in public, and in safety, to discuss the needs of the city and be available to address concerns brought to them by the people. Without the wall, the gates will not stand. Without the gates the wall will be vulnerable.

The people of the ancient city and surrounding area could go about their pursuits with confidence when they knew they were receiving good leadership and would find security within the wall of their city when required.

It’s difficult to argue with God when He speaks; especially when your wife agrees with Him! So, I said, “Yes.”

It was easy to see why God loved the people and ministry of CBS. Staff, volunteers and donors across the country all exhibited a commitment to Him and to the cross-denominational mission of the Bible cause.

It is uncommon to see people, even Christians, with a dedication that compels thinking past themselves, and beyond the interests of a particular geographic or confessional community, to serve the greater good; in this situation, advancing the sharing of the Scriptures.

In Nehemiah’s case, because the people had a will to do the work the walls and gates were rebuilt in 52 days and the success of the city was established for considerable time afterward.

With the work of restructuring and preparation of a new strategic plan well underway, it was left to me to consider the matter of the “city gates.” Nehemiah had been given a letter from his king to use wood from the king’s forests in order to rebuild the gates. But what did that mean in the 21st century context of a Christian ministry?

For me, the answer was found in the Bible.

When Jesus talked about building His Kingdom, whether in heaven or on Earth, He did so in the context of love. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Love the Lord our God. Love ourselves. Love our neighbours. Even, love our enemies. After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus committed, in love, that He would always be with those who loved Him – and He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us to guide us, in love.

We can have gifts, talents, plans and strategies, but, St. Paul reminds (in his first letter to the church in Corinth) there is a “still more excellent way.” “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

In his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul wrote that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” The security of 21st century Christians and Christian leaders is found in the power of His love and the presence of His Spirit. The King’s forests of today provide security in the certainty of His love. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

It seems simple, but it can be easy to get distracted from His love and His presence; to drift into insecurity and fear when the familiar walls around us are tumbling down and what we considered certain gives the impression of having become uncertain.

The value in rebuilding the wall and gates of Jerusalem was not in the wall and gates but in the city and its people. It’s my hope that as its structure transitions, and as my time of interim leadership now concludes, the wake left from my transitory tenure will be an evidenced centering and security in the message of God’s enduring love for the people of the Canadian Bible Society that will encourage them in the continuing mission of promoting and encouraging translation, publication, distribution and use of the Bible.

Recently, I was contacted with an invitation from an international prayer ministry that is committed to 24/7 prayer. The group wanted to know how they might pray for the Canadian Bible Society during the current time of transition. After some reflection, I decided that rather than provide a list for prayer I would provide a prayer. Historically, the Church has recognized the benefits of a prayer that can be shared using the same words – from The Lord’s Prayer found in the sixth chapter of Matthew’s gospel to the liturgical Book of Common Prayer – as well as spontaneous prayer.

First day as interim CEO at Canadian Bible Society

A friend was kind enough to offer his assistance with translation so that it is provided below in English and en français .

Here’s what I shared, and now share with you, inviting more to pray for the Canadian Bible Society.

A Prayer for the Canadian Bible Society

The Bible Society was established at an 1804 meeting held in a London pub; a meeting which was called to address the plight of a young Welsh girl who was required to save for years and walk barefoot a greater distance than the Olympic marathon simply to purchase a Bible. That same year, the Bible Society reached the Eastern shores of Canada, where the Canadian Bible Society was later established as its descendant ministry in 1906.

After more than two centuries of promoting and encouraging the translation, publication, distribution and use of the Scriptures throughout Canada, and co-operating with the now 146 other Bible Societies of the United Bible Societies in its worldwide work, the contemporary Canadian Bible Society has arrived at a crucial nexus of its past, present and future. This prayer is a suggestion to assist in seeking God’s guidance and direction in this time.

Our Father,

We offer You our thanks and praise for Your plan of creation; the redemption that is ours through the life on Earth, sacrifice and resurrection of Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ; and, the continuing presence of Your Holy Spirit to be with us at all times and in all situations.

As part of Your profound plan for us, You inspired the writing of the Bible that we might know the origins of life, the reality of sin, the record of redemption, and the continuing promise of relationship with You – now and forever.

You have entrusted the message of Your Book to One Great Body; desiring unity, with expression through its many parts.

One of those parts, inspired by You, is the Canadian Bible Society. In this moment we echo the prayer of Jesus that in the decisions being made, You will be glorified; and, that those involved in the process of preparing for the future – governors, volunteers, staff and consultants – might be one in thought and action for Your work of the Canadian Bible Society as The Father and The Son are one, doing no thing apart from You.

We also pray for unity in Your Spirit in the search for and selection of a National Director to lead the Canadian Bible Society in the changed and changing world of the twenty-first century. In Your Spirit we live and move and have our being, and we pray that the breath of Your Spirit will blow as a fresh wind through the Canadian Bible Society, setting the direction for its leadership.

May Your will be done on Earth – in the Canadian Bible Society – as it is in heaven, we ask in the name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.